For homeowners looking to achieve a little extra space for their family often choose to convert the loft. It’s a popular move for homes tight on space to maximise square footage and hopefully add value to their property. So popular, in fact, that around every 4 in 10 homes in London has a form of loft conversion.
Loft conversions, as useful as they are, can be about more than adding space and act as a great opportunity to take on matters of energy efficiency in your home. It’s a chance to upgrade lighting to top performing LED bulbs, updating an old boiler to a more efficient one or install insulation.
Every loft conversion requires building regulation approval. Whilst it is the homeowner’s responsibility, a good contractor should help with the approval process. As part of the approval, energy efficiency ranks highly with a strong focus on minimising possible heat loss. Heat loss must be kept to a minimum during a loft conversion by placing insulation between rafters and underneath them and ensuring the continuity of wall and roof insulation as well.
Most conversions will be completed with the standard amount of insulation as required by building regulations, but it is wise to ask for more. A higher level of insulation can keep a loft conversion better protected from extremes of temperatures, improve sound proofing and also save money on energy bills.
To prevent a loss of heat through any lighting fixtures in the loft conversion, try Downlight Covers from a site like https://www.thermahooddirect.com
As well as insulation, it’s important to think about energy efficient windows. Insulation will be pointless if the windows are inefficient. A+ rated double or triple glazed windows will offer the best savings on energy bills. This grade of windows will provide the benefits of a warm, cosy room, great sound proofing and a reduction in the accumulation of condensation.
Keeping a loft space warm in winter is another important factor and this can be achieved by adding more radiators that are controllable with thermostatic valves. Smart home devices are now available which can help to control the heating throughout the whole house from an app on a smartphone. Controlling heating this way can help save money and make a home more energy efficient, so having a loft conversion could be the perfect time to invest in some new digital devices. For those with controllable heating, they could be seeing savings of up to £120 each year.